I picked Vorc up from his knees and tugged him away. Not sure why, but I did. Very quickly it became clear I'd either have to carry him or drag him. His body'd gone limp. I started dragging the SOB by one arm. When we were safely away, safe being how far I estimated DS could be heard to speak, I dropped my sack of woe and turned to examine DS. It was a beautiful sight. Already he was dark, barely rotating, and he was settling on the ground like a huge wet noodle. Five minutes later there was no trace DS had ever existed. He was completely gone. Good riddance. I slowly walked back to Stingray. Once we were all safely aboard, we'd see about leaving this dump in the rearview mirror.
It felt awful darn good to have permanently stranded the evil ancient gods in the one place they did not want to linger. Darn good, I say.
EPILOGUE
Late the next afternoon Vorc sat in his office. His face was planted in his folded arms atop his desk. He'd been in that depressed position for many hours. Along with everything unacceptably horrific that had just happened, he morosely ruminated as to why no one had done him the kindness of assassinating him.
Vorc's head rose slowly and reluctantly when he heard a hideous sound in the reception area. It was followed by a short high-pitched scream of agony. Then Vorc heard a noise. He was about to challenge whoever was there when his door exploded inward after being struck by something of power. He rose to his feet and fumbled for the Fire of Justice, all the while never taking his eyes off the ragged hole the door had occupied.
Through the portal a massive frame contorted to enter. Vorc had never seen him before, but he knew it was the god he'd summoned. Vorc was about to negotiate with Gáwar, knowing full well Gáwar never negotiated anything with anybody. First to enter were his ten-foot long lobster claw front hands. Then multiple tentacles serving in place of antennae sprang in. Gáwar lowered his block-shaped bull head and poked it through. He scanned the room as he progressed. As Gáwar's torso came into view, Vorc's knees began to knock together in their attempt to buckle. Most of the beast's body was a snake, but a snake with human legs. If those legs had been on a woman she'd be considered lucky, maybe be a professional dancer. The beginnings of a tail slithered in, but most of it remained outside the room because it was so long.
The god of demons had arrived. Gáwar put his muzzle to Vorc's face and sniffed him wetly.
“I knew your mother, boy. She never summoned me, but know her I did. She was a turd among tubes of shit. Did you know that, boy?”
Vorc was speechless.
“Did your mama have any children who weren't mute lunatics?” Then the master demon laughed at his wit. The laugh would have killed any mortal and most immortals. It held in it all the enmity a voice could muster, all the casual disregard for the listener's well-being, and any trace of joy. Gáwar's laugh said plainly to anyone near enough to hear it that they would likely not see tomorrow. The manner of one's demise promised to be unspeakable.
“I … I … I …” Vorc tried to say.
“I, I, I. It's always about you when we get together, Vorc. I have feelings too, you know?” With that Gáwar passed a large amount of flatulence, and he did so for many seconds. Vorc nearly passed out for lack of oxygen. “That, by the way, is a hello from your dead mama. She asked me to pass it along when I left our bed this morning.”
Then Gáwar held forth one of his claws. “Is this yours? I think I might have broken it.”
Between the pincers was the nearly severed-in-half drooping body of Felladonna.
“Mind if I set it here?” Gáwar tossed it carelessly over his back.
“D … dd … did you have to k … kill the p … poor girl?” Vorc asked at a whisper.
“No, and thanks for asking. I didn't have to kill her. I wanted to kill her. I want to kill you too, but first maybe I'll let you tell me why I was summoned, and then just maybe I'll watch you grovel before I slice you into ribbons.”
Vorc shut his eyes. “Dominion Splitter has been killed. Someone or some group decided the bulk of Cleinoids were not to be allowed to egress into Prime. I want the guilty party or parties brought before me. They will suffer for their crimes.” He opened his eyes.
“Yes, I noticed the old windbag was defunct the moment I arrived. Did you know he was not as useless, ugly, and stupid as your mama?”
Vorc closed his eyes again. “Insulting my mother will help with nothing. I know her to have been an exemplary woman. Could you just possibly focus on my summons?”
“Insulting? Boy, I'm speaking truth to power. I should get a medal here.”
“The criminals?” he asked. Then he opened one eye.
“Vorc, I'm going to go extra-easy on you. You know why?”
The one eye shut again. “No, I do not.”
“Neither do I, and it bugs the crap out of me. But easy I will be. Vorc, you are the very model, the poster child's poster child for a stupid, unobservant dick. You were duped, swindled, flimflammed, hustled, scammed by a windup toy. You are so dumb idiots across all of space and time are hurrying to distance themselves from you as we speak. Do you partake even slightly of what I'm saying, you son of a turd?”
“A … a windup toy? Wh … whatever are you …”
“Ryanmax, you underarm sweat stain. Your pal Ryanmax is a robot, an android, a walking computer.”
Vorc, eyes still sealed shut, pointed in Gáwar's general direction. “Now see here. I was not his pal. I detested the man.”
“Robot. You detest, present tense, since he's still in the neighborhood.”
“Are you certain?”
Words once spoken cannot be recalled, breathed back in. Words such as those directed at Gáwar were instantaneously certain to have been as poor a choice as there could ever have been.
Gáwar's heretofore beady black shark eyes glowed red, then blue. Steam rose from his entire body. The floor began to vibrate like a plank of wood pounded with a sledge.
“Am I certain, Cleinoid insect? Am I cer-tain of the words I spoke. Recall how I said I would go easy on you.”
Vorc stood trembling and eyes closed. He'd assumed that was a rhetorical question.
“Well,” Gáwar thundered, “do you recall?”
“Y … yes, lord, I d … do.”
“Offer retracted. And do not call me lord. I am death, bleak, painful, hopeless death. I am lord of no one.”
“Understood.”
“So, soon to join his mother, you summoned me. I told you what you wanted to know. There is a price. You must pay it.”
“A … a price? I thought this type of … assistance was part of …”
“I am part of nothing,” he howled like a hurricane. You will pay my price.”
“V … vveer … of course. Bbbbut … if I mm … may?”
“What. Do not pretend to tell me you are brainless enough to ask more of Gáwar.”
A sudden calm, the calm of impending, unalterable death, came over Vorc. He opened his eyes. “Yes, Gáwar, I am that foolish. I want you to bring Ryanmax and his traitors to me.”
“I'm stunned. That one blindsided me like a rogue whale. I gave you the name. The vortex is caput so no one's escaping. But you need me to round up the bad guys? Hey, want me to wipe your turdy butt while I'm at it?”
“No. But I will pay an even greater price for the service.”
“Oh you bet your bloodline you will. Interested in hearing the price you already contracted for before upping the ante?”
Certainly, if it will speed the …”
“I own your soul.”
“I … I was …was uncerttt … ttain we Cleinoids possessed souls, in a conventional sense that is.”
“You will soon learn you do. You will soon come to know what a nice article of life it was to have, by the way.”
“What is … would be the additional price?”
“I haven't finished listing what you already owe.” Gáwar spoke those words with transparent glee.
“There's more? What could be more?”
“Poor d
umb kid. You lack imagination. Fortunately I do not. I will have your mother's soul.”
“But she's …”
“Dead. Yeah, I heard the rumor. I will have your father's soul. Yeah, heard that rumor too. Just because you don't comprehend it doesn't change the fact that they are payable on demand.”
“What would the additional price …”
“You mean beyond the souls mentioned and the prizes still unidentified?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, you're a player, aren't you? To bring Jon Ryan to you, because that's his robot name, will cost you ten large.”
“What does that even mean, ten large?”
“Such a county bumpkin. It means the souls of every inhabitant of ten large cities under your rule. You will naturally choose which ones.”
“Not you?”
“Me? No, I'm too shy. Don't work well under pressure either, truth be told.”
“That's a lot of souls, souls I lead, whom I represent.”
“Glad to hear you can count past your fingers and toes, boy. So, what'll it be? Services rendered or you going for the golden ring? Time's a ticking so I'll need to know now, as in immediately.”
“You drive a hard bargain.”
“No, I do not. Damn your soul that is technically mine, I do not. I drive an impossible bargain. I drive a cruel and unconscionable bargain. It's kind of my thing.”
Vorc gulped.
“What'll it be, son? Meter's running.”
To Be Continued ….
Glossary:
Als (1): The original ship's AI on Jon's first flight long ago was Alvin. Jon shortened that to Al. When Al was joined to Jon's vortex in the Galaxy On Fire Series, Al and Blessing fell in love and got “married.” Since then Jon refers to them combined as the Als.
Beal's Point (1): An area of monuments to disgraced Cleinoid gods. All living gods must visit to be made ill so they stay loyal.
Bethniak (1): Child-appearing, vengeful, powerful, and really really mean god.
Blessing (1): See Stingray.
Calrf (1): A Kaljaxian stew that Jon particularly dislikes.
Central Seat (1): The official leader of the Ancient Gods’ conclave.
Cleinoid gods (1): Ancient and malevolent mix of gods. They have destroyed many universes before and are eyeing ours now.
Cragforel (1): Friendly Deavoriath Jon met after he first escaped the Adamant in the far future.
Cube (1): Jon's alternate name for the vortex he captains.
Dalfury (1): Vorc's right hand, or chief assistant. A demigod of cloudy memories, hence, he has the form of a cloud.
Davdiad (1): Kaljaxian divine spirit.
Deavoriath (1): Three arms and legs, the most advanced tech in the galaxy, and helpful to Jon.
Deca (1): One of the witch gods skilled at prophecy. Sister of Fest.
Daleria (2): Demigod and innkeeper whom Jon and Sapale befriended. She worked with them against the ancient gods as she'd grown to hate them.
Dominion Splitter (2): The name of the transfolding vortex the ancient gods use to transport to our galaxy. He has a lot of issues and is very conflicted. Actually he's just a total asshole, period. Aka DS.
Evil Jon Ryan/ EJ (1): Alternate time line version of the original human to android download. Over time, he turned to the darker side of his nature. He studied “magic” under a Deft master.
Felladonna (2): Vorc's second assistant, or so-called right hand. A demigod of lists and communication.
Felnastop (2): A delicious vegetable that runs like the wind.
Fest (1): One of the witch gods skilled at prophecy. Sister of Deca.
Form One/Form Two (1): A Form is the title of a vortex pilot. If more than one is aboard they get numerical designations based on seniority.
Gáwar (2): Seriously badass god. The god of demons. Yeah, badness.
Gorpedder (1): Ill-tempered boulder Cleinoid god.
Lorpamoor (1): Cleinoid vampire god. Nasty nasty fellow.
Hemnoplop (1): Demigod of Fool's Island. On pilgrimage to Beal's Point with Jon.
Marropex (1): A reaver. The Cleinoid god of atrocities.
Nassel (2): Leader of the Rage faction of Cleinoids. She had done so for the last three transheavals. A god of conquest.
Probe Fibers (1): Aka command prerogatives, they allow piloting of the vortex spaceship and can analyze whatever they touch.
Racdal fat (2): A food animal from Kaljax's abundant fat stores.
Sapale (1): Jon’s Kaljaxian wife from his original flight to find humankind a new home. At first just her brain was copied, then, eventually, she was downloaded to an android host. Travelled with the corrupted Jon Ryan from an alternate time line.
Space-time congruity manipulator (1): Hugely helpful force field. Aka a membrane.
Stingray (1): Jon's Deavoriath spaceship. Her name in the Deavoriath language is pronounced “crash.” Hence, silly Jon renamed her after one of his favorite cars. It makes Jon-sense.
Tefnuf (1): The first ancient god Jon encountered. She was saddled with an uncanny ugliness and a profoundly bad temper.
Transfolding (1): The mechanical process of moving from the land of the ancient gods to somewhere else.
Transheaval (1): The term the Cleinoids use to describe their migration from one universe to another. Accomplished via a mean vortex-cloud know as Dominion Splitter.
Vorioc (2): The first antigod introduced. Also one of the most powerful.
Vorc (1): Current central seat of the conclave.
Vortex (1): Super-advanced Deavoriath sentient spaceship. Moves by folding space. If you get a chance to own one, do it.
Vortex (alternate definition) (1): See Dominion Splitter.
Wul (1): God of business and enterprise. Humanoid. Befriended Jon.
Zastrál (2): A three-meter-long, one-meter-tall fuzzy siamese-twined python with paddles for legs. Used to extract knowledge. Very unpleasant chap.
And Now A Word from Your Author
Who Doesn’t Love Shameless Self-Promotion?
Thank you for continuing your journey through the Ryanverse! Along with this series, please check out The Forever Series. Beginning with The Forever Life, Book 1, learn Jon’s backstory and share his many incredible adventures.
The second series in the Ryanverse, Galaxy on Fire, begins with Embers. Learn what happened to Jon and his companions long after humankind safely left Earth.
Audiobooks, you ask? Why yes, there is The Forever on Audible, and it's superb.
Along with joining by reading, hop aboard the bandwagon. There’s plenty of room. Follow me at Craig Robertson’s Author’s Page on Facebook. Partake of the conversation and fun. Best of all, sign up for my Mailing List. (https://www.facebook.com/craigr1971/app/100265896690345/). That way you can stay abreast of news and new releases. You’ll be so glad you did. Finally, I love emails. No, I'm not that needy. I just love emails. [email protected].
A final favor. Please post a review for this book, especially on Amazon. They are more precious to us authors than gold.
Craig
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